And, while Freedman says he will be approaching the game with the same mentality as any other, he is looking forward to handing first-team experience to some of his youngsters.

Freedman told Forest Player HD: “When you’re the manager of Nottingham Forest you’ve got to try and win every single game home and away. It’s as simple as that. That was our attitude on Friday night and that’s our attitude coming up against Walsall.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to play the first home match of the season and for me to look at other things.

“One or two younger players will come into the team, not because of the cup competition but because of the situation we find ourselves in with Financial Fair Play and injuries.”

Robert Tesche has become an unwelcome addition to Forest’s injury list after he was on the receiving end of a robust challenge in the opening-day match at Brighton.

The result was a broken metatarsal and what his manager expects will be a three-month lay-off.

But Freedman hopes to have another midfielder back at his disposal soon, as well an extra goalkeeper.

He said: “Ben Osborn is getting stronger every day. Because of the difficulties we’ve got in midfield I think we’ve got to be very careful with how we rush him back.

“I think Ben will definitely be involved on Saturday. Maybe tomorrow will be a little too early. We’re trying to see how he recovers from training today.

“Ben Hamer, we’re still working on it. The guys behind the scenes are trying to get a deal done. I know the boy’s keen to come here, we just need to try and get it over the line.”